Mexican Orange Blossom Care and Prune

Caring For Mexican Orange Blossoms (Choisya ternata)

Mexican Orange Blossoms are generally free from pests and diseases and look after themselves quite well. However, give them just a little tender loving care and they will reward you well. One point worth noting is that Choisya ternata is resistant to Honey Fungus.

The dates in the care calendar below are adjusted for your home town if you have previously set it, if not click here to go and set all GardenAction dates for your area.

early April	Feed your Mexican Orange Blossom. Scatter a couple of handfuls of bonemeal around (but not touching) the base of the plant and cover with a mulch of well-rotted compost.
From late May to late June	Remove the flower heads as they fade and cut out the flower stems of about 50% of the faded flowers. This will encourage a second flush of flowers in the autumn.
late June	Choisya require no pruning other than to remove any damaged stems. You may also trim them to the shape and size you want. They can be hard-pruned to the ground if a very severe frost has damaged them.
mid August	Take semi-ripe cuttings. See the next page for more detailed information on cuttings
mid October	Plant your new Mexican Orange Blossom. Place the plant in hole to the same depth as it was in the pot. Container grown examples can be planted at any time of the year but the soil warmth and moisture at this time of year gives the best start. Also you will not need to water if they are planted at this time of year.

How to Plant a Mexican Orange Blossom

Choisya ternata and Choisya ternata Sundance

Choisya ternata (bottom)
Choisya ternata Sundance (top). Click to enlarge

The ideal position for your Mexican Orange Blossom is in full sun (although they tolerate partial shade very well) and with some protection against harsh winter winds.

Your Mexican Orange Blossom will probably come in a largish pot. Dig a hole about the depth of the pot and about twice as wide. Mix a handful of bonemeal into the dug up soil.

Remove the Mexican Orange Blossom from the pot. The way to do this is to place a hand over the soil in the pot with fingers either side of the main stem. Turn the plant upside down and ease it out of the pot. If the plant has become root bound, gently tease out some of the roots from the base of the root ball. Place the Mexican Orange Blossom in the hole.

The top of the soil of the root ball should be level with the garden soil. Adjust the height of the plant by adding soil under it if needed. Fill in the hole around the plant with the dug soil. Firm the soil down as you fill in the hole to ensure the Mexican Orange Blossom isn't blown over in strong wind. Water well to consolidate the soil

How to Prune a Mexican Orange Blossom

Mexican Orange Blossom pruned as a hedge. Click to enlarge.

Mexican Orange Blossoms have no special pruning needs, simply prune to the shape and size you want each year. When you are doing this, check for any damaged branches and trim these off.

On the left is a Choisya ternata Sundance which has successfully been pruned into a low level hedge. Pruning at the time specified in the calendar above allows the plant to flower in Spring. Click the picture to enlarge.

Mexican Orange Blossoms have no special pruning needs, simply prune to the shape and size you want each year. When you are doing this, check for any damaged branches and trim these off.

If a severe frost has damaged the plant badly, it can be cut to 25cm (1ft) from the ground and it will grow back over the next few years.

How to Propagate a Mexican Orange Blossom
Mexican Orange Blossoms are propagated from semi-ripe cuttings taken in mid August. The procedure for semi-ripe cuttings is common to many shrubs. This is covered in great detail in another of our articles, click here to go there now. With Mexican Orange Blossom cuttings there is a medium to good chance of success.

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